Immerse yourself into the history of Sydney with this four-day program. Experience Aboriginal culture through the land, and it’s history through the arts. Meander through Australia’s great outdoors as you discover its forests, gardens, and sea.
DAY 1
After flying into the Sydney International Airport, you will be met after Customs and luggage claim and transferred to your hotel, where you will spend the next three evenings. Check in is at 3:00pm. Although all efforts will be made to have your room available upon your arrival, this cannot be guaranteed. Should you have an early arriving flight you may wish to book an extra night so your room is ready upon arrival. You also have the option of leaving your belongings with the Concierge so you can start exploring the city until your room is ready.
The remainder of the day will be at your leisure, allowing you to do whatever you wish. You might settle in at the hotel or consult with the hospitality desk for suggestions on what to see nearby. If you’ve never experienced it, this may be the perfect opportunity to take in a performance at the iconic Sydney Opera House.
Your hotel is centrally located in the heart of Sydney’s retail and business districts. It makes a great base for exploring the iconic attractions, boutique shopping, fine restaurants, cafés and nightlife that define Australia's capital.
Your room includes Club Lounge Access with these amenities: Private access floor, complimentary food including continental breakfast and hors d'oeuvres, high-Speed Wi-Fi, complimentary cocktails, complimentary non-alcoholic beverages, complimentary business services, complimentary pressing of 2 garments per stay.
Meals are on your own today.
DAY 2
Following breakfast this morning, board your luxury coach to Circular Quay. Here you will ride a classic fast ferry to Goat Island. Known to Aboriginal people as Me-Mel, this island is the largest in Sydney Harbor and boasts magnificent views of this incredible city. Your Indigenous experience will commence with a traditional welcome ceremony before having the opportunity to observe and participate in a performance workshop.
Next, you will enjoy a tour around the island as your guide showcases the native flora and explains the uses of traditional artefacts during a demonstration workshop. You will appreciate the history surrounding this island and its importance to the local Aboriginal community.
Upon your return to Circular Quay, re-board your coach and travel to Australia’s most famous beach, Bondi. Here you will enjoy lunch at North Bondi RSL, overlooking the golden sand and crashing waves of Bondi Beach. Take advantage of some free time to stroll through the local area, indulge in some boutique shopping or simply sit by the shore as your senses soak up the sun, sand and sea.
Continue this afternoon to the Art Gallery of New South Wales. A spectacular collection of Aboriginal art resides here, and you will be taken on a private tour with a guide specializing in these unique pieces. Following your experience, discuss your days learnings with your group as you enjoy a light afternoon tea at the gallery’s café.
Across the road from the gallery you will find The Royal Botanic Garden; a lush green oasis in the heart of the city. Opened in 1816, this heritage-listed garden is 30-hectares in size and is the oldest scientific institution in Australia. You will have the remainder of the afternoon at leisure to connect with nature as you walk through the garden pathways, while discovering hundreds of plant varieties as the sounds of local birds and wildlife surround you. The garden also leads to the harbor foreshore where you can choose to relax and watch as the sun sets beyond the horizon.
The remainder of the evening is yours to enjoy on your own.
Dinner is on your own.
DAY 3
After breakfast, board your coach for a journey to Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Further enhance your Aboriginal knowledge during this three-hour cultural tour. Walk the land of this World Heritage Listed forest as your traditional guide explains how ancestors cared for the land. Come across caves with historic engravings and learn how to read this cultural art as you listen to dreamtime stories.
You’ll have the opportunity to ask your guide any questions following the tour as you enjoy a BBQ lunch featuring Australian meats and fish, salads and freshly made Damper with tea and coffee.
Your journey continues to Broken Bay, home to the finest Pearl Farm on the east coast of Australia. Explore the Shellar Door before a cruise to the close-by farm on the Hawkesbury River. Here, you will harvest some pearls and learn to grade your findings following your return. Conclude your day with an oyster tasting before the drive back to your hotel and an evening at leisure. Dinner is on your own.
DAY 4
Following breakfast at the hotel, check-out and reunite with your tour guide for a short transfer to The Rocks – a historic area of Sydney's city center located in the shadows of the Sydney Harbor Bridge. Wrap up your Cultural Sydney program with one final tour here, this time, a walk around the district that will uncover the hidden gems and stories known to the Aboriginal people of this area.
In time, you will transfer to the port and board the cruise ship.
Land Program Details Step by Step
•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with the up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
Extra Nights
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.
•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
DAY 1
AM Arrive at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport.
You are met outside customs by a group leader or driver and transferred to your hotel to spend the afternoon and the evening at your leisure.
Check in time at your hotel is 3pm. Although every effort will be made to have rooms available sooner, this cannot be guaranteed.
Overnight at the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park or similar hotel
Meet and Greet and transfers
•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.
•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
DAY 2
From 6:30am Breakfast included at the hotel
9:00am Guests depart by coach for Circular Quay and board ferry to Goat Island
9:30am Me-Mel (Goat Island) Tour
11:30am Guests depart Circular Quay and transfer to Bondi Beach
12:15pm Lunch at North Bondi RSL and time to explore independently
2:00pm Transfer to Art Gallery of New South Wales
2:45pm Aboriginal Art Tour and afternoon tea
4:15pm Free time to explore Royal Botanic Garden or return to hotel for afternoon/evening at leisure
Dinner on own
Overnight at the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park or similar hotel
DAY 3
From 6:30am Breakfast included at the hotel
8:30am Depart for Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park
10:00am The Basin Track Aboriginal Site Tour and BBQ lunch
1:30pm Depart Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park for Broken Bay
2:45pm Broken Bay Pearl Farm Tour and Oyster Tasting
5:15pm Return to hotel
6:00pm Arrive back at the hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening at own leisure
Dinner on own
Overnight at the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park or similar hotel
DAY 4
From 6:30am Breakfast included at the hotel
9:45am Check-out and transfer to The Rocks
10:30am Dreamtime Rocks Walking Tour
12:00pm Transfer to the ship for embarkation
Expected Weather:
The approximate temperature will be 18°C - 26°C or 64°F - 79°F
What to Bring:
Guests should bring layered clothing as although this is summer, nights near the harbor can get cool
Good walking shoes, hat, sunscreen, camera, chargers, and a jacket in case of cooler temperatures.
Currency:
AUD
USD are not accepted here
Electricity:
Australian electricity voltage for domestic use is 220-240 volts. We recommend bringing a universal travel converter for electric devices.
Documents and Visa Requirements:
All guests must have an Australian tourist visa to enter the country. Guests should check with their embassy for entry requirements for their nationality. A valid passport is also required.
Hotel addresses:
Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park
161 Elizabeth Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Phone: +61 2 9286 6000
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotel listed in this program.
Program Includes for guests:
•Transfer from airport to hotel on Day 1
•All touring mentioned above
•3 nights at the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park or similar hotel (Grand Executive Hyde Park Room with Club Lounge access)
•Porterage
•Three breakfasts
•Two lunches with non-alcoholic beverages
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes for guests:
•Any meals or beverages not listed above
•Gratuities for drivers and guides
•Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service
•Visa Fees
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing, hats, sunglasses, and flat comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released. Arrangements for accommodation and transfers will be at the expense of guests.
